Climate change and environmental pollution – these are the problems the world is facing and which the participants of the international NACAO project want to address. Polish representatives of the local government of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, together with Marshal Andrzej Bętkowski and Voivodeship Councilor Grzegorz Banaś, as well as project partners from other countries, came to Spanish Andalusia.

Partners from six countries participating in the NACAO project, which is implemented under the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 program, are taking part in the first international meeting organized by the leader of the project – the regional administration of Spanish Andalusia.

How to reduce carbon dioxide emissions?

The visit program is very rich – it includes seminars during which good practices are presented regarding experiments based on natural solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The Świętokrzyska delegation presented good practice regarding water retention in the forest districts of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Radom. As Jacek Koba from RDSF said – nine forest districts, i.e. Barycz, Daleszyce, Kielce, Łagów, Radom, Stąporków, Staszów, Zagnańsk and Zwoleń, in 2007–2015 participated in the nationwide project ‘Increasing retention possibilities and counteracting floods and droughts in forest ecosystems in lowland areas’. 23 water reservoirs and 61 gates and other damming devices were built, in which approximately 1.1 million m³ of water was retained.

In the years 2014-2022, the project ‘Comprehensive project for adapting forests and forestry to climate change – small retention and counteracting water erosion in lowland areas’ was implemented, including in the forest districts of Dobieszyn, Kielce, Zwoleń and Staszów, the aim of which was to prevent the negative effects of the devastating the effects of flood waters, floods, flooding, droughts and fires, as well as the reconstruction of valuable natural ecosystems. The construction, revitalization of small retention reservoirs and modernization of hydrotechnical facilities are expected to result in the retention of 22.6 thousand m³ of water.

Blue coal

During the study visit to the Bay of Cadiz National Park, as part of good practice related to ‘blue carbon’, a pilot project on carbon dioxide sequestration was presented, implemented by the Spanish partner: General Directorate for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change at the Regional Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Blue Economy in Andalusia. Blue coal is a derivative of traditional coal, but its combustion causes much lower emissions of toxic exhaust gases into the atmosphere, which makes it ecological and environmentally friendly.

As a reminder, the NACAO project is aimed at supporting regions in creating regional policies in the area of environmental protection and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its implementation is intended to exchange experiences, introduce innovative solutions and build the capacity of institutions participating in the preparation of activities related to the ‘green deal’.

– Climate change is one of the greatest challenges requiring urgent action, also on the part of local governments – emphasized Marshal Andrzej Bętkowski, who participates in the meeting together with Councilor Grzegorz Banaś, Director of the Department of Investment and Development of the Municipal Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, Jacek Sułek, and employees of the departments involved in the implementation of the project. – The NACAO project is intended to provide an impulse for local governments to implement solutions within their competences that will protect the environment and reduce pollution.

It is worth adding that Marshal Andrzej Bętkowski and Grzegorz Banaś met with Sergio Arjona, Deputy Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment and Blue Economy, and with Maria Lopez Sanchis – Director General for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change.

The NACAO – Nature-based Carbon Offsets project is implemented under the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 program, which is financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The project partners are the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship – the Department of Investment and Development in cooperation with the Department of Nature and Climate.